Getting around Mito
Mito is a compact city, and much of what a visitor wants to see clusters around two hubs: the area around Mito Station in the city centre, and Kairakuen Garden to the west. Attractions within each hub are within walking distance of the other, and the two hubs are linked by a straightforward walk along the river. That said, the city also has a rail network, an extensive bus system, taxis, and excellent cycling, so you have plenty of options depending on how far you want to range.
Rail network
Mito Station is the city's main rail hub and a terminal for several lines. It sits on the JR Joban Line, which runs from Ueno in Tokyo up to Sendai, and is also served by the JR Suigun Line and the private Kashima Line.
Within Mito's boundaries there are several smaller stations you may find useful:
- On the Joban Line: Kairakuen (open only during plum blossom season), Akatsuka, and Uchihara.
- On the Kashima Line: Higashi Mito and Tsunezumi.
Kairakuen Station is the one to remember if you visit during the plum festival: some JR Joban Line trains make a temporary stop there, putting you right by the garden. Outside that season, the station is closed and you'll approach the garden on foot or by bus instead.
Buses
Mito's bus network is extensive and, like bus systems throughout Japan, can feel complicated at first — but once you've worked out your route it's a very useful way to get around. Most areas of the city are served by buses coming a few times each hour.
For the principal tourist attraction, the bus to Kairakuen leaves from terminal 6 on the north side of Mito Station.
One important practical point: you cannot use the ubiquitous Suica or Pasmo IC cards on Mito's buses. Ibaraki Kotsu buses instead use their own rechargeable card, called "Ibappi."
If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing by bus, look into the one-day bus pass. The city's bus operators cooperate to offer a 1-day pass covering all buses in a designated downtown area that includes Kairakuen Garden and many tourist spots. It's a good value if you'll be making several trips in a day.
Taxis
Taxis are always available in Mito, and the average flag fall is ¥660. They're a convenient fallback for short hops or when buses don't line up with your plans.
Walking
Walking is genuinely practical in Mito, especially around the station and around Kairakuen. The principal tourist attraction, Kairakuen, is an easy half-hour walk from Mito Station's South Exit. The route is simple: walk to the river (the Sakuragawa), take a right, stay on the right bank, and keep going along the north (right-hand) shore of the lake. In April you'll walk past cherry blossoms the whole way, and the waterfowl along the route provide some amusement.
Bicycle
By far the best way to get around the areas near the station is by bicycle. Mito sits next to the Naka River, which meanders from nearby hills down to the coast. The tops of the levee banks have excellent bike paths that act as bike freeways — leisurely rides with great views of the rice farms on the river plain, and a way to reach most destinations while avoiding the hassles of traffic. If you're travelling a fair distance from the station into the surrounding areas, traffic is manageable.
If you'd rather drive, car rental is available at several outlets near the station.
Getting into the city from the airport
Ibaraki Airport (IBR) is the closest airport to Mito, and buses run from it to two useful rail connections:
- To Ishioka Station (about 40 minutes, ¥600), where you can connect to JR Joban Line trains toward Ueno in Tokyo.
- To Mito Station (about one hour, ¥1100), which gives you rail connections onward to the north.
If you're arriving at Narita Airport instead, the Rose Liner airport limousine bus — operated by Chiba Kōtsū and Ibaraki Kōtsū — runs to and from the Mito-Oarai Interchange, Mito Station, Katsuta Station, and Hitachi. There are nine daily round-trips, and the journey to Mito Station takes about two hours at a cost of ¥2900.
From Haneda Airport, Airport Limousine buses run directly to Mito every hour, but only during the afternoon and evening (about two hours, ¥3500). Outside those hours, take the Keikyu Line train to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line to Ueno to pick up a train bound for Mito.
One useful tip: if you're coming from an airport, don't go into Tokyo first — take the bus directly to Mito as described above.
Getting to Mito from Tokyo
If you're approaching Mito from Tokyo rather than an airport, you have three main choices.
By limited express train: Limited Express trains depart from Ueno for Mito every 30 minutes during the day — HITACHI trains depart at the top of the hour and TOKIWA trains at 30 minutes past. The trip costs ¥4220 and takes 65–75 minutes depending on how many stops the train makes. The Japan Rail Pass covers the fare. You can board a limited express without a prior reservation and pay the supplement on board, though the fare increases slightly if you do. There are no dedicated unreserved-seat cars; instead, lights above the seats indicate availability (red means currently available, orange means reserved soon, green means taken).
By local train: Local trains cover the journey in about two hours at a cost of ¥2210. Direct local services for Mito depart from Ueno two to three times per hour.
By highway bus: Mito can be reached by bus from Tokyo Station in about two hours. Tickets run ¥2080 one way, or you can buy a round trip from the driver for ¥3900. There are no reserved seats, so arrive at the station early if you need to catch a specific bus. Buses leave at least twice an hour from Tokyo Station, and every ten minutes during weekday rush hours. The seats and ride are comfortable and baggage can be stored in the coach, so for most people near Tokyo Station without a rail pass, the highway bus is likely the best option for reaching Mito Station.
Note that fees and schedules are subject to change, so it's worth confirming current prices and timings before you travel.